SPECIAL REPORT: Belle Tire 'Match of the Week'

Badger Bob: 32.8Polar Bears: 26.7We realize how big a deal it is to be in the Belle Tire Match of the Week in only our third period of existence in the FHL. Entering the period, both Badger Bob and Polar Bears were in the top four in the standings. I’m proud of how we’ve played so far in the period and hope we can keep it going in the all-important finale tomorrow.

As far as Thursday is concerned, I tip the Penguins' helmet to two players who are making in Period 3 their first appearance in the Badger Bob lineup, Colorado F Jarome Iginla and Winnipeg F Andrew Ladd. Iginla was a reserve draft selection while Ladd was out seventh and final forward taken in the opening portion of the draft.

They accounted for four points last night, with Iginla getting an assist on both goals in the Avs’ 2-1 win over Tampa Bay and Ladd getting a goal in the Jets’ 3-1 win over Chicago. The win for Colorado was especially important from a fantasy standpoint as it limited the point total of Tampa Bay G Ben Bishop, who is in the Polar Bears’ lineup.

This is the second time in this period that Iginla and Ladd have made a significant contribution to the Badger Bob score sheet. Iginla had a goal and an assist last Saturday and Ladd had a goal and an assist last Sunday. Adding those six points to they four they registered tonight makes 10. To say I am happy with 10 points out of those two players is an understatement.

No question that after their performance in Period 3, iginla and Ladd have made my job of putting a lineup together more difficult in terms of which forwards to have active and who to keep in reserve.

Bottom line. The fantasy season just like the NHL regular season is a LONG haul. Over that long haul, players will go through hot and cold streaks and injuries will occur. So when the GM calls the number of a “depth” player, the hope is that he will step up.

That’s exactly what Iginla and Ladd have done in Period 3. They stepped up when Badger Bob needed production from them. And it just so happens they did so with the spotlight of the Belle Tire Match of the Week on our team and the Polar Bears.